Love and Prowess in The Knight with the Lion

3493 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Examples of courtly love in medieval literature

Love and Prowess in The Knight with the Lion

The chivalric ideal demanded many things of a knight. To the military ideals of prowess, loyalty, and honor it added the aristocratic ideal of largesse and, with the rise of the troubadour lyrics and romances, the ideal of courtly love. At times a knight could find these demands in conflict with one another. Such is the case with Chrétien de Troyes's romance The Knight with the Lion. In this story, the hero Yvain finds love while pursuing prowess; but, continuing to pursue prowess, he loses that love. In the adventures that follow, he seeks to regain his love. In so doing, he develops true prowess without aiming for it and learns to reconcile chivalry's demands of love and prowess, moving from merely "courtly" love to loyal married love, and from deeds of prowess performed in the pursuit of honor and fame to those performed in the defense of justice. He who was so successful as a juvenes must learn to be a seigneur-must, in fact, learn to balance the ideals of both classes. Looking at the romance in two parts-his adventures before, and after, his madness-we can see, first, why love and prowess came into conflict, and second, how Yvain was able to reconcile them.

At the beginning of the romance, Yvain is concerned primarily with prowess, for the sake of honor. Hearing the tale of his cousin Calogrenant's dishonor, his first thought is of vengeance: he "would avenge, if he could, his cousin's disgrace before returning" (266). He rides off to find the fountain, not to defend justice but to defend the family honor, seeking not reward but fame, as when he pursues the wounded Esclados because "no one would believe in his deed unless he returned with proof" (268). The kn...

... middle of paper ...

...

Bibliography

Armstrong, Grace M. "Rescuing the Lion: From Le Chevalier Au Lion to La Queste del Saint Graal." Medium Aevum 61 (1992): 17-34.

Frappier, Jean. Chrétien de Troyes: The Man and His Work. Trans. Raymond J. Cormier. Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press, 1982.

Guyer, Foster Erwin. Chrétien de Troyes: Inventor of the Modern Novel. London: Vision Press Limited, 1960.

Hawkins, Anne Hunsaker. "Yvain's Madness." Philological Quarterly 71 (1992): 377-397.

Holmes, Urban Tigner. Chrétien de Troyes. New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1970.

Kennedy, Elspeth. "Failure in Arthurian Romance." Medium Aevum 60 (1991): 16-32.

Noble, Peter S. Love and Marriage in Chrétien de Troyes. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1982.

Staines, David. The Complete Romances of Chrétien de Troyes. Bloomington & Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1990.

Show More
Related

  • The Voice of Reason in Tartuffe by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere

    1000 Words  | 2 Pages

    Moliere, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. "Tartuffe." The Norton Anthology Western Literature. 8th ed. Eds. Sarah Lawall et al. Vol 2. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2006. 19-67. Print.

    Read More

  • Yvain The Kinight of the Lion

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    When first introduced to Yvain it is easy to tell that he is a young up and coming knight ready to make a name for himself. While hearing the story of his good friend, Calgrenant, being defeated by another knight he vows to avenge his fallen comrade. He seems more determined and eager than anyone else to go off to battle, however, his moment of pride is quickly met with ridicule by Sir Kay. "My lord Yvain! By God, Are you leaving tonight or tomorrow? Do let us know, fair sir, Just when you begin this ordeal, So we all can escort you....And if your dreams are bad tonight, Perhaps you'd better stay home." (600-610) it becomes apparent that Yvain is seen as a little brother in the eyes of his fellow knights. His feeling of inferiority leads him to do whatever he can to prove his worth, which is why he sneaks off in the knight to face the challenge alone. This is the first indication that young Yvain isn't emotionally and mentally mature. Yvain's pride and self esteem is heavily predicated on how he is viewed by others.

    Read More

  • How to Snowboard

    508 Words  | 2 Pages

    Second, before hopping on the lift, you should become familiar with the parts of the snowboard. Always wear the right size boots, and make sure they support on your ankles. Wearing boots that are too tight can leave you with sore ankles or chin splints. After choosing the perfect boot, consider your choice of binding. The bindings are what clip your boots to the board. There are two different types of bindings. The clipping binding has a calf support in the back, and has two clips that snap around your boot. This type of binding is the safest. The other type of binding, the step-in, is made to just step directly on the board. This one has no safely clip or back support. It is less of a hassle, but most people do not feel as safe in them. I suggest the clipping binding, because I feel the extra support on my calves gives me more control. Once you have decided on the binding, choose your board. Snowboards are made customized. They vary in length and

    Read More

  • Chivalry, by Maurice Keen: Book Review

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    When Maurice Keen set out to write a book on the components and development of chivalry, he did not know it would be “the last word on a seductive subject,” as stated by one Washington Post reviewer. Instead, Keen was merely satisfying a curiosity that derived from a childhood fascination of stories filled with “knights in shining armour.” This juvenile captivation was then transformed into a serious scholarly interest by Keen’s teachers, the product of which is a work based upon literary, artifactual, and academic evidence. Keen’s Chivalry strives to prove that chivalry existed not as a fantastical distraction, as erroneously portrayed by romances, but instead as an integral and functional feature of medieval politics, religion, and society. The thirteen chapters use an exposition format to quietly champion Keen’s opinion of chivalry as being an element of an essentially secular code of “honour” derived from military practices.

    Read More

  • Chivalric Romance in Sir Gawin and the Green Knight

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    What does a Chivalric Romance really represent? In “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight,” Sir Gawain continuously proves his knightly virtues and code of honor. Chivalry includes bravery, honor and humanity. He proves that he is in fact a “real” knight. It shows many ways that “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” are perfect and the emphasis on the importance of the chivalric code.

    Read More

  • Growth and Maturation in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Iwein

    2348 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Arthurian legends of Iwein and Gawain and the Green Knight are two examples of the medieval initiation story: a tale in which a character, usually in puberty or young adulthood, leaves home to seek adventures and, in the process, maturity. Through the course of their adventures, including a meeting with the man of the wilderness, temptations at the hands of women, and a permanent physical or mental wounding, the character grows from adolescent awkwardness and foolishness to the full potential knightly honor. While both Arthurian legends fit this format, the depth of character development, specifically in terms of relationships, is vastly different. Whereas Gawain and the Green Knight does little more with relationships than demonstrate the evils of female temptations, Iwein effectively explores the formation, destruction, and resurrection of numerous male and female relationships.

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Love In The Lais Of Marie De France

    1210 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The Lais of Marie de France, the theme of love is conceivably of the utmost importance. Particularly in the story of Guigemar, the love between a knight and a queen brings them seemingly true happiness. The lovers commit to each other an endless devotion and timeless affection. They are tested by distance and are in turn utterly depressed set apart from their better halves. Prior to their coupling the knight established a belief to never have interest in romantic love while the queen was set in a marriage that left her trapped and unhappy. Guigemar is cursed to have a wound only cured by a woman’s love; he is then sent by an apparent fate to the queen of a city across the shores. The attraction between them sparks quickly and is purely based on desire, but desire within romantic love is the selfishness of it. True love rests on a foundation that is above mere desire for another person. In truth, the selfishness of desire is the

    Read More

  • Les Liaisons Dangereuses

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    The story begins with the Marquise de Merteuil corresponding with Vicomte de Valmont regarding a luscious new act of ‘revenge’, as she describes it, against the Comte de Gercourt. The young Cecile de Volanges has just come home from the convent and her marriage to Gercourt has been arranged. However, before he can wed the innocent child, Merteuil proposes Valmont ‘educate’ her, thus spoiling Gercourt’s fancy for untarnished convent girls. Valmont is uninterested in such an easy seduction and is far more aroused by the thought of lulling The Presidente’ de Tourvel, the very epitome of virtue, into submission. And so the tale unfolds.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Courtly Love In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    Chivalry was a set of codes and values that the knights would follow to show loyalty to their king, respect to their lady, and humbleness to the poor. Next, courtly love was more of a tradition that was beheld usually by a knight and a lady such as Lady Bertilak, they would engage in a relationship and it would be kept a secret. The two have conflicts with each other because while Sir Gawain was courting Lady Bertilak’s he was to do as commanded but also was to not betray the loyalty of King Bertilak who was his host. Furthermore, while Sir Gawain was receiving kisses he also had a deal with his Host, anything he received in his castle would be given to King Bertilak and in exchange, he would receive what the king killed during his hunt. Throughout the first and second time that the king left and came back from hunting Sir Gawain gave him the kisses he received but on the third he failed to give him what he received since Lady Bertilak had given him a green griddle and told him to take it as well as to not to tell her husband about it. Sir Gawain was not to say a word about the gift but in receiving this gift and doing what she commands he breaks the deal between his host and he fails to be

    Read More

  • Medieval Chivalry

    1683 Words  | 4 Pages

    Each different aspect of the code of chivalry held a separate role in society. Whether it be religious or barbaric, chivalry tended to hold a moral guideline among those who followed it. This moral guideline held them true to their duties to man, God, and women (Sex, Society, and Medieval Women). All of which are reflected in the three themes of Chivalry: Warrior chivalry, religious chivalry, and courtly love chivalry (Sex, Society, and Medieval Women). These three hold their individual roles, all stimulating a different part of the mind and creating a code held by all areas of life in those who hold it. The underlying question posed in this intense pledge is whether those who took the oath lived it out accordingly. To live out Chivalry is to go against the logic of the human mind. That is a hard task. Canterbury Tales provides one example of a man fighting against the odds. The kenight portrayed in the story can be compared to that of the quarterback of a football team. That knight truly took the leadership of his role and lived out all of its responsibilities. On the other hand, in midst of the popularity, a large majority of knights truly embraced only certain aspects of the pledge of Chivalry. They used their title and their pledge to court women and gain an upper hand on everyone else around them. The corrupt behavior of these knights is why the general consensus of a knight’s success in following the pledge of Chivalry is failure. The mind of a man still finds its origin in the Social Darwinism concept of a man’s mind. This idea plays the leading role in the failure of knights in the medieval period to live out their oath of Chivalry in every aspect of this oath.

    Read More

  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; A Romance?

    1094 Words  | 3 Pages

    Closely associated to the romance tradition are two idealized standards of behavior, especially for knights: courage and chivalry. The protagonist within many medieval romances proved their worth by going on quests, as many a knights went in those times, thus returning with great tales of their travels and deeds. Many modern people think of chivalry as referring to a man's gallant treatment of women, and although that sense is derived from the medieval chivalric ideal, chivalry could be seen as more than that. Knights were expected to be brave, loyal, and honorable-sent to protect the weak, be noble to...

    Read More

  • The Influences of Politics, Science, and Discovery on Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

    1749 Words  | 4 Pages

    Schoell, William. Remarkable Journeys: The Story of Jules Verne. 1st. Greensboro, NC: Morgan Reynolds Publishing, 2002. Print.

    Read More

  • Regression Analysis Essay

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...rs since the reward is tangible. Since 80 percent of profit comes from a small percentage of customers, programs should be developed to retain them. Companies will use resources that aren’t available to the entire customer base to ensure they are retaining their most valuable customers and offering incentives to encourage others to move up.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast 4ps And Value Approaches To Marketing

    722 Words  | 2 Pages

    Promotion. Finally comes promotion - informing the customer on the qualities and advantages of the product so that the potential buyer learns about the product, prefers it to those of the competitors, and has an opportunity to buy it at some place.

    Read More

  • Marketing Strategy

    1310 Words  | 3 Pages

    Of course with any age group not everyone who populates it will be a firm consumer of the product concerned. Evidence suggests however that the over 50’s could be a profitable target audience. Studying consumer behavior Kellogg’s quite rightly stated over 50’s behavior suit breakfast products, commenting 65+ year olds “Spend longer on breakfast” (Kellogg’s) emphasizing that breakfast does feature if not more in the over 50’s market segment than others. Economics also determine the potential of this market s...

    Read More

More about Love and Prowess in The Knight with the Lion

Open Document